Packaging apparatus



Aug. 20, 1963 J. E. ULLMAN 3,397,509

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet l lA/VE/VTDF.

JOHN E. ULLMAN ATTORNEY Aug. 20, 1968 J. E. ULLMAN PACKAGING APPARATUSFiled April 25, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN E. ULLMAN MiMy ATTORNEX 0, 1968 J. E. ULLMAN 3,397,509

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 AIR F-INVENTOR.

y JOHN E. ULLMAN J. E. ULLMAN Aug. 20, 1968 PACKAG ING APPARATUS 9Sheets-$heet 4 Filed April 25, 1966 JNVENTOR. JOHN E. ULLMAN A TTORNEY.

Aug. 20, 1968 J. E. ULLMAN PACKAGING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledApril 25, 1966 l/V VENTOR.

JOHN E. ULLMAN MMv M? ATTORNEY g 20, 1968 J. E. ULLMAN 3,397,509

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 332 336 354I64 3I2 g SEEK J l t 344 M/VENTOR.

JOHN E. ULLMAN ATTOR/VE).

Aug. 20, 1968 J. E. ULLMAN PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1966 9Sheets-Sheet 8 //v VE/VTOR.

JOHN E. ULLMAN ATTORNEX United States Patent 3,397,509 PACKAGINGAPPARATUS John E. Ullrnan, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., assignor toHuntingdon Industries Incorporated, Bethayres, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Filed Apr. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 544,738 16 Claims. (Cl.53285) This invention relates to packaging, and more particularlyconcerns a case, and apparatus for forming, filling, and sealing thecase.

Cases or cartons made of corrugated paperboard or the like are widelyused in the packaging of cans or similar articles. For example, 24 cansof soup or beer are quite commonly packaged in a corrugated paperboardcase and shipped therein to supermarkets or other distributors.

Such cases usually fall into two types: (1) top-closing cases, and (2)end-closing cases. The top-closing cases include two side panelsconnected together by two end panels, with top and bottom flapsextending from the side and end panels. The top flaps are folded overand fastened together by an adhesive to form the top of the case, andthe bottom flaps are folded over and fastened together to form thebottom.

An end-closing case differs from a top-closing case in that it has endflaps instead of top and bottom flaps. Accordingly, an end-closing casecomprises a top panel and a bottom panel connected toegther by a pair ofside panels, with end flaps extending from the top, bottom, and sidepanels. The end flaps at the front end of the case are folded over andfastened together by adhesive to form the front end of the case, and therear end flaps are folded over and fastened together to form the rearend.

Since many cases today are long and flat, the end flaps of anend-closing case are smaller than the top and bottom flaps of atop-closing case of the same size. Accordingly, the blank of anend-closing case is smaller and uses less paperboard, up to aboutpercent less, than the blank of a top-closing case of the same casesize.

Therefore, many packers would prefer to use the endclosing case insteadof the top-closing case because of the saving in paperboard. However,the end-closing case is difiicult to load. conventionally, anend-closing case is supplied by the manufacturer in the form of aflattened tube, with a small flap called a manufacturers flap extendingfrom the top panel and connected to a side panel by gummed tape, staplesor an adhesive. To fill the case with the cans, the panels are pulledaway from each other to open the tube so that the side panels form rightangles with the top and bottom panels, and the cans are pushed throughone end of the case tube. Then the case is sealed by folding over theend flaps and fastening them together with adhesive.

But shoving a load of cans into one end of such a tube is verydifficult, especially if a snug fit is desired. And packers prefer atight, snugly-fitting case because the cans are less likely to bedamaged in handling and shipping.

Packers also prefer a case which can be top-loaded, i.e., a case whichmay be loaded by passing the cans into the case through its top, becausemany loading machines are adapted for this type of loading. Top-loadingis easier than end-loading.

Another reason which prevents many packers from adopting end-closingcases, even though such are less costly than the top-closing type, isthat they have bought, and have present in their plants, conventionalhorizontal compression units for sealing the cases, and such compressionunits are not usually adaptable for sealing end flaps of end-closingcases. Horizontal compression units are provided with top and bottomconveyor belts which pass around horizontal rollers. The upper rollersare spring-backed and exert a downward pressure on the top belt.Accordingly, pressure is exerted against the top and bottom flaps offilled top-closing cases passing between the belts, and this pressureholds the flaps in position and thereby assists in setting the glue orother adhesive which fastens the flaps together.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the problemsof the prior art.

It is another object to provide a transfer unit which feeds anend-closing case into a horizontal compression unit in such a mannerthat the case may be sealed therein.

It is another object to provide a modified end-closing case which may besealed in a horizontal compression unit.

It is another object to provide a case former which partly forms a caseand adapts it for top-loading.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, including its simplicityand economy, as well as the ease with which it may be adapted toexisting equipment, will further become apaprent hereinafter and in thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in top perspective of a flat, five-panel ease blank;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the case blank with its bottom formedinto set-up condition and filled with cans;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective which shows the case as it appears whenentering a transfer unit with the top panels folded over and the top endflaps extending substantially horizontally from the case;

FIG. 4 shows the case after the front top flaps have been turned down bythe bottom portion of a pusher element of the transfer unit and showsthe front top flaps in contact with a preceding case;

FIG. 5 shows the case at a laterstage in operation of the transfer unitwith the front flaps abutting the preceding case, and with the rear endtop flaps having been turned down and being pushed forwardly by thepusher element;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of a transfer unit constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of the transfer unit looking from theright of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial view in side elevation of another embodiment of thetransfer unit;

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation of another embodiment of case blank;

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective of the case blank of FIG. 9 with itsbottom in set-up condition, and filled with cans;

FIG. 11 is a view in perspective of the case of FIG. 10 as it appearswhen entering a transfer unit, with the top panel folded over themanufacturers flap, and with the top end flaps extending substantiallyhorizontally from the case;

FIG. 12 shows the case after the top front flap has been turned down bythe bottom portion of a pusher element of the transfer unit and showsthe front top flap in contact with a preceding case;

FIG. 13 shows the case of FIG. 10 at a later stage in operation of thetransfer unit with the front flap abutting the preceding case, and withthe rear end flap having been turned down and being pushed forwardly bythe pusher element;

FIG. 14 is a view in side elevation, partly schematic, showing theoverall packaging apparatus including bottom former, loader or packer,gluer and top folder, transfer unit or end sealer, and horizontalcompression unit;

FIG. 15 is a view in top plan of a fiat five-panel carton blankpositioned in the bottom former before the downward stroke of theforming mandrel;

FIG. 16 is a view in section taken as indicated by the lines and arrows16- 16 which appear in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a view in top plan of the five-panel carton after thedownward stroke of the forming mandrel and shows the carton with itsbottom formed into set-up condition;

FIG. 18 is a view in section taken as indicated by the lines and arrows1818 which appear in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view in section taken as indicated by the lines and arrows1919 which appear in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit of theinvention.

Although specific terms are used in the following description forclarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the structure shownin the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of theinvention.

Turning now to the specific embodiments of the invention selected forillustration in the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, a five-panelcase blank 12 which comprises a first top panel 14, a first side panel16 connected to top panel 14 along a transverse crease line 18, a bottompanel 20 connected to first side panel 16 along a transverse crease line22, a second side panel 24 connected to bottom panel 20 along atransverse crease line 26, a second top panel 28 connected to secondside panel 24 along a transverse crease line 30, and a top sealingmanufacturers flap 32 extending from first top panel 14 and adapted tobe overlapped by second top panel 28 so that the top panels 14 and 28may be connected together by a layer of adhesive 34 between panel 28 andflap 32.

A front end top flap 36 is connected to first top panel 14 by alongitudinal crease line 38, and a rear end top flap 40 is connected tothe rear of first top panel 14 by a longitudinal crease line 42.Similarly, second top panel 28 is provided with a front end top flap 44connected to it by a longitudinal crease line 46, and a rear end topflap 48 connected to it by a longitudinal crease line 50.

As is shown in FIG. 2, stripes 52 of adhesive have been applied to theinner surfaces of flanges 36, 40, 44, and 48, and these flaps areadapted to be fastened to the outer surfaces of end flaps 54 whichextend from side panels 16 and 24. A similar adhesive layer fastens endflaps 56, which extend from bottom panel 20, to end flaps 54. End flaps54 and 56 are connected to their associated panels by longitudinalcrease lines.

When the case blank 12 is erected, filled, closed, and sealed, thepanels and flaps are in folded position along the crease lines and forma six-sided case with an adhesive layer 34 connecting top-sealingmanufacturers flap 32 to top panel 28, an adhesive layer connecting thefront end flaps together to form the front end of the case, and anadhesive layer connecting the rear end flaps together to form the rearend.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 6-7 of the drawings, there isshown a transfer unit 58 that is constructed in accordance with theinvention and is adapted to close a filled case. In general, thetransfer unit comprises means for turning down the front end top flaps36 and 44, means for moving flaps 36 and 44 against a preceding case tohold the flaps in compression to aid in setting the adhesive thereon,means for turning down the rear end top flaps 40 and 48, and means formoving a succeeding case against the rear flaps 40 and 48 to hold themin compression to aid in setting the adhesive. The transfer unit alsoincludes means for pressing the top sealing flap 32 against the lappedtop panel 28 to aid in setting the adhesive layer 34 therebetween.

The cases are delivered to transfer unit 58 from a case gluer with toppanels 14 and 28 folded over and with topsealing flap 32 lapping toppanel 28, and with top flaps 36, 44, 40 and 48 extending outwardly fromthe case in substantially horizontal fashion. The cases are delivered toa receiving channel 60 formed by a bottom conveyor belt 62, a to guiderail 64, and a pair of side guide rails 66. Side guide rails 66 serve toguide the cases and keep them in line, and top guide rail 64 pressesdownwardly on the top panels to keep them closed until the case entersthe compression belt section.

Conveyor belt 62 is driven by -a motor 68 and gear box 70 and moves thecases forwardly so that end flaps 36 and 44 contact curved bottomportion 72 of a pusher member 74 and are turned down thereby. Belt 62has a smooth surface and keeps moving when a case is stopped by apreceding case, because of its slipping engagement with the case.

Pusher member 74 hangs downwardly from a pivot pin 76 mounted in abracket 78 which is reciprocable on a pair of rods 80.

As conveyor belt 62 continues to push a case forwardly, the front end ofthe case actuates a limit switch 82, such as a microswitch, that isadjustably mounted on a base 73 supported on a side guide rail 66.Switch 82 moves bracket 78 and pusher member 74 rearwardly by actuatinga piston 85 in air cylinder 84. The piston is connected to both ends ofbracket 78 by a cable 86 so that it is adapted to move bracket 78 bothforwardly and rearwardly.

When pusher member 74 reaches the rear end of the case, it dropsdownwardly by gravity about its pivot pin 76, and pusher plates 88,which are at the front of pusher member 74, turn down rear end flaps 40and 48 during the course of this downward movement. Adjustable stopblocks 89 are mounted on rods 80 to prevent bracket 78 and pusher plates88 from traveling too far rearwardly. If pushers 88 overtravel, i.e., gopast the end of the trailing flaps, the pushers could push forwardlyagainst the end of the flap, instead of bending it down, and crush theflap. Accordingly, pusher plates 88 contact rear flaps 40 and 48, bendthem to the fully closed vertical position, and push the case in theforward direction. The case is pushed against the rear end of apreceding case which folds front flaps 36 and 44 to the fully closedposition and holds them in compression against side flaps 54.

The case is received by a horizontal compression unit 90 which includestop and bottom conveyor belts 92 and 94. The top belt 92 is trainedaround spring-loaded rollers 96 which exert a downward pressure on thebelt that, in turn, exerts pressure on the top panels 14 and 28 and topsealing flap 32 to assist in setting the adhesive layer 34.

Sealing pressure is exerted against the front flaps 36 and 44 by thepreceding case, and against rear flaps 40 and 48 by the following case.

In order to keep sealing pressure on the end flaps, the conveyor beltsof the compression unit 90 are not freewheeling. Instead, belts 92 and94 are driven by a motor provided with a brake. Conveyor belts 92 and 94are driven at a slower speed than conveyor belt 62 in transfer unit 58to insure that the end flaps of the cases are held in compression.

The elements of the transfer unit are supported in a frame 98 and areadjustable as to position in order to accommodate cases of varioussizes. The conveyor belts of compression unit 90 are similarlyadjustable.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an alternative embodiment of thetransfer unit wherein pusher member 74 is driven by a reversible airmotor 100 instead of by the air cylinder 84. Air motor 100 drives asprocket 102 and a chain 104 which passes around an idler sprocket 106.Chain 104 is connected to bracket 78 and is adapted to move the bracketback and forth in response to the movement of air motor 100.

In operation, a filled case is delivered from a case gluer to transferunit 58 with its bottom end flaps 56 adhesively fastened to its side endflaps 54, and with its top panels 14 and 28 folded over so that topsealing flap 32 is in contact with adhesive layer 34. The top end flaps36, 44, 40 and 48 extend outwardly from the case and have stripes 52 offreshly applied adhesive on their inner surfaces. The channel 60 oftransfer unit 58 receives the case, and

conveyor belt 62 moves it forwardly while guide rail 64 holds the toppanels 14 and 28 in closed position ready for insertion into thecompression belts. As belt 62 continues to move the case forwardly,front flaps 36 and 44 contact curved bottom portion 72 of pusher member74 and this contact turns down the flaps 36 and 44 to the extent shownin FIG. 4. The forward movement of the case moves the front flaps 36 and44 into contact with a preceding case so that the flaps are preventedfrom resuming their horizontal position. As the case moves forward, itactuates switch 82 which moves bracket 78 and pusher member 74rearwardly, with pusher member 74 remaining in contact with the forwardtop flaps until they make contact with the previous case, and pushermember is pivoted upwardly and moves rearwardly over the moving case.

When pusher member 74 reaches the rear end of the case, it dropsdownwardly by gravity about its pivot pin 76, and air cylinder 74 isreversed to move the piston and bracket 78 and pusher member 74forwardly.

Pusher plates 88 press the rear flaps 4 and 48 against the case and pushthe case forwardly into contact with the preceding case in compressionunit 90. Accordingly, at the end of the forward stroke of pusher member74, the front flaps 36 and 44 are held in compression by a precedingcase in compression unit 90, the top panels 14 and 28 and the sealingflap 32 are held in compression by top belt 92, and the rear flaps 40and 48 are held in compression by pusher plates 88.

Because of the sealing action of pusher plates 88 against the rear flaps40 and 48, those flaps remain in place when pusher plates 88 arewithdrawn ot act upon a succeeding case which has been delivered totransfer unit 58.

By the time the cases complete the course of travel through thecompression unit 90, they are thoroughly sealed.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-l3, there is shown another embodiment of a caseblank 110, a four-panel case with a manufacturers flap extending fromthe top of a side panel. Blank 110 comprises a top panel 112, a firstside panel 114- connected to top panel 112 along a transverse creaseline 116, a bottom panel 118 connected to first side panel 114 along atransverse crease line 120, a second side panel 122 connected to bottompanel 118 along transverse crease line 124, and a top-sealingmanufacturers flap 126 connected to second side panel 122 along atransverse crease line 128. Flap 126 is adapted to be overlapped by toppanel 112 in order to connect panel 122 to panel 112.

A front end top flap 132 is connected to top panel 112 by a longitudinalcrease line 134, and a rear end top flap '136 is connected to the rearof top panel 112 by a longitudinal crease line 138.

As is shown in FIG. 10, stripes 140 of adhesive have been applied to theinner surfaces of flaps 132 and 136 in a case gluer, and these flaps areadapted to be fastened to the outer surfaces of end flaps 142 whichextend from the side panels 114 and 122. Similar adhesive stripesalready fasten end flaps 144, which extend from bottom panel 118, to endflaps 142. End flaps 142 and 144 are connected to the panels bylongitudinal crease lines 134 and 138.

The operation of the transfer unit in closing and sealing a case madefrom case blank 110 is similar to the operation previously describedwith reference to a case made from case blank 12. A filled case isdelivered from a case gluer to the transfer unit 58 with its bottom endflaps 144 adhesively fastened to side end flaps 142, and with top panel112 and top-sealing manufacturers flap 126 folded over so that thesealing flap 126 is overlapped by top panel 112 and has an adhesivelayer therebetween. The top flaps 132 and 136 extend outwardly from thecase and have stripes 140 of adhesive applied to their inner surfaces.The channel 60 of transfer unit 58 receives the case, and conveyor belt62 moves it forwardly while rails 66 guide it and top rail 64 presses onthe top panels to keep them closed until the case enters the compressionbelt section. As belt 62 continues to move the case forwardly, frontflap 132 contacts curved bottom portion 72 of pusher member 74 and isturned downwardly. The continued forward movement of the case moves thefront end flap 132 into contact with a preceding case which folds flap132 into completely closed position and prevents it from resuming itshorizontal position. Forward movement of the case causes it to actuateswitch 82 to move the piston in air cylinder 84 and thus move bracket 78and pusher member 74 rearwardly, and upwardly with the pusher memberriding on the top panel 112.

When pusher member 74 reaches the rear end of the case, it dropsdownwardly by gravity about its pivot pin 76, and air cylinder 84 isreversed to move the piston and bracket 78 and pusher member 74 in theforward direction.

During this forward motion, pusher plates 88 press the rear flap 136against the case and push the case forwardly into contact with thepreceding case in compression unit 99. Accordingly, at the end of theforward stroke of pusher member 74, the front flap 132 is verticallypositioned and is being compressed by the preceding case in compressionunit 90, the top panel 112 and the manufacturers flap 126 are held incompression by top belt 92, and the rear flap 136 is held in compressionby pusher plates 88. During its course of travel through compressionunit 90, rear flap 136 is held in compression by a succeeding case whichis pushed into compression unit 98 by pusher plates 88.

There are many advantages to the transfer unit of the present invention.It enables a packer to use an end-closing case which is usually lessexpensive than a top-closing case because it requires less paperboard.It also permits a packer to load his cases from the top, which is aneasier method of loading. Moreover, it permits the packer to useequipment which he already has in his plant, such as packing machines,case gluers, and horizontal compression units. Some minor modificationsmay have to be made to the existing equipment to allow theirutilization.

Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown the overall packaging apparatusfor forming, filling, and sealing a top-closing case having top, bottom,and side panels and top, bottom, and side end flaps. The apparatuscomprises a bottom former 146 that forms the bottom and side panels andflaps into setup condition with the bottom flaps adhesively connected tothe side flaps, a packer or loader 148 which is adapted to fill thecases with material, such as cans, through the top of the case. Loader148 is of conventional construction.

After the case has been filled with cans or other material, it is passedto a gluer and top folder 156 which applies an adhesive to the top flapsand to a top panel if the case includes a manufacturers flap which is tobe adhesively connected to the top panel. Gluer 150 also folds over thetop panel or panels to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 11.

From the gluer 150, the case is delivered to transfer unit 58 whichcloses the end flaps and presents the case to the compression unit 90.The unit presses down against the top overlapping flaps of the case, forexample, glued area 34 of flap 28 is pressed down against manufacturersflap 32 to form a seal, and moves the case at a rate of speed which isslower than belt 62, whereby the succeeding cases, as moved by belt 62and pusher 74, push against the preceding cases so that the top endflaps are held in compression against the side end flaps by the pressurefrom the preceding and following cases.

Bottom former 146 is constructed in accordance with the case formerdisclosed in my US. Patent No. 3,196,- 761 which issued on July 27,1965, and includes 'a loading station 154 with stacker bars 156 andripple plates 158 which hold a stack of flat end-closing case blanks.Bottom former 146 :also includes a glue station 160 which applies glueto the bottom flaps of the case blank, and a forming station 162 whichforms the bottom of the case into set-up condition with the side panelsperpendicular to the bottom panel and the bottom flaps adhesivelyconnected to the side flaps.

Gluer 150 includes means for moving the filled case through the gluerand applying an adhesive to the inside surfaces of the top flaps andpanel where desired, and means for folding over the top panel or panelsinto set-up position. Gluer 150 is of conventional design.

Referring now to FIGS. l19, forming station 162 of bottom former 146 isshown in more detail. A vertically reciprocable mandrel 164 is connectedto a crosshead 166. Also connected to crosshead 166 is a verticallyreciprocable cam body 168 which is attached thereto (FIG. 18) by abracket 170.

Cam-guide rollers 172 mounted on plate 174 serve to guide the verticalmovement of cam body 168.

A cam track 176 is formed in cam-body face 178 and the cam track 176includes a bend 180. A cam roller or follower 182 rides in track 176 andis mounted on a lever 184 attached to one end of a shaft 186. A crossshaft 1218 is connected to shaft 186 by mitre gears 190. Levers 192 aremounted at each end of cross shaft 188 and are connected to push rods194. The other ends of push rods 194 are connected to levers 196 ofturner rods 198.

Mounted on rods 198 are side flap turners 200. Pivotally mounted on sideflap turners 200 are side pan n1 turners 202 which include a returnspring 204.

Also mounted on turner rods 198 are levers 206 which are connected tolevers 208 by push rods 210. Levers 208 are mounted on turner rods 212which rotate simultaneously with turner rods 198 but in the oppositedirection of rotation.

Mounted on turner rods 212 are side flap turners 214, and pivotallymounted on side flap turners 214 are side panel turners 216 which areprovided with a return spring 218.

In operation of forming station 162 shown in FIGS. -19, crosshead 166moves downwardly to move mandrel 164 and cam body 168 in the downwarddirection. When cam follower 182 moves through bend 180, lever 184rotates shaft 186. This motion is transmitted by mitre gear 190 to crossshaft 188 and rotates its levers 192. Push rods 194 rotate levers 196and cause rotation of turner rods 198 to actuate side flap turners 200and side panel turners 202 to turn the side panels and flaps into set-upposition, i.e., from the position of FIG. 15 to the position of FIG. 17.

Further, the motion of turner rods 198 is transmitted to turn rods 212through levers 206, push rods 210, and levers 208. Accordingly, sideflap turners 214 and side panel turners 216 are actuated to turn theother side panel and flaps into set-up position.

As the mandrel 164 continues downward travel, mandrel arms 220 (FIG. 18)rotate side panel turners 202 and 216 against their springs to move sidepanel turners 202 and 216 out of the path of travel of the top panels ofthe case. Arms 220 extend downwardly slightly from mandrel 164 and bendthe top panels past the horizontal so that the edges are lower than thetop of the side panel. Accordingly, those edges are not contacted by asucceeding case as they pass through a cage beneath mandrel 164.

Bottom flap rollers 222 roll the bottom flaps of the case into set-upposition in contact with the side flaps.

On the upward stroke of mandrel 164, cam follower or roller 182 againpasses through cam bend 180 in cam track 176 and causes rotation of theshaft 186 and 188 to rotate levers 196 and to rotate turner rods 198 and212 to their original positions through the action of push rods 194 and210. This returns side flap turners 200, 214

:and side panel turners 202, 216 to their original positions as shown inFIG. 15, for example.

For illustrative purposes, a five-panel case blank 312 is shown in FIGS.15 and 17. Case blank 312 comprises a first top panel 314, a first sidepanel 316 connected to top panel 314 along a transverse crease line 318,a bottom panel 320 connected to first side panel 316 along a transversecrease line 322, a second side panel 324 connected to bottom panel 320along a transverse crease line 326, a second top panel 328 connected tosecond side panel along a transverse crease line 330; and a top sealingmanufacturers flap 332 extending from first top panel 314 and adapted tobe overlapped by second top panel 328 so that the top panels 314 and 328may be connected together by a layer of adhesive between panel 328 andend flap 332.

A front end top flap 336 is connected to first top panel 314 by alongitudinal crease line 338, and a rear end top flap 340 is connectedto the rear of first top panel 314 by a longitudinal crease line 342.Similarly, a second top panel 3281's provided with a front end top flap344 connected to it by a longitudinal crease line 346, and a rear endtop flap 348 connected to it by a longitudinal crease line 350.

Side end flaps 354 are connected to side panels 316 and 324 bylongitudinal crease lines, and bottom end flaps 356 are connected tobottom panel 320 by longitudinal crease lines. Stripes 358 of adhesivehave been freshly applied to the inner surface of bottom flaps 356.

In operation, case blank 312 is delivered to the forming station in theposition shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. Mandrel 164 descends and turnerrods 198 and 212 are rotated from the position of FIG. 15 to theposition of FIG. 17. Side flap turners 200 and 214 fold side flaps 354into position perpendicular to side panels 316 and 324.

Side panel turners 202 fold side panel 316, and side panel turners 216fold side panel 324 into position perpendicular to bottom panel 320.

Mandrel arms 220 fold top panels 314 and 328 outwardly into the positionshown in FIG. 17, and then arms 220 turn side panel turners 202 and 216out of the way to permit downward passage of top panels 314 and 328.

Also in the downward stroke of mandrel 164, bottom rollers 222 foldbottom flaps 356 into position against side flaps 354 and press thoseflaps together so that the stripes 358 of adhesive make good contactbetween them. The bottom-formed case blank 312 is caught and held byratchet-like pawls at the end of the downward stroke of the mandrel.Then the mandrel moves upwardly to its original position and side panelturners 202 and 216 are returned to their original position by returnsprings 204 and 218.

Turner rods 198 and 212 are returned to their original position inresponse to the upward movement of cam body 178.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 6 and 20, the operation of thetransfer unit and its electrical circuit is as follows. In machine readycondition, limit switch 82 is closed to contact 362 to energize the coilof control relay 364 and close its contacts 366. Since pusher 74 is inits down position, limit switch 368 is closed to contact 370, and limitswitch 372 is closed to contact 374 to keep forward solenoid valve 376energized through closed contacts 378 of control relay 380. Contacts 382of relay 364 are open to keep compression belt motor switch 384de-energized and belts 92 and 94 stopped.

An incoming case actuates case detector switch 82 and closes it tocontact 386 and opens it to contact 362. Contacts 388 of relay 364,which had been previously closed, conducts power to energize rearwardsolenoid valve 390 and relay 380. Pusher 74 moves rearward.

When pusher 74 reaches its up position, relay 364 drops out, but notbefore switch 368 closes to contact 392 to maintain rearward solenoidvalve 390 energized, even though contacts 388 open to isolate switch 82.

When pusher 74 reaches the rear flaps of the case and start to drop,switch 368 opens to contact 392 to de-energize rearward solenoid valve390 and relay 380.

Accordingly, pusher 74 stops and drops to the full down position, andcloses switch 372 to energize forward solenoid valve 376 throughcontacts 378. Contact 382 of relay 364, which are closed, conduct powerto energize time delay relay 394. Pusher 74 pushes the case firmlyagainst a preceding case and stalls against it for a predetermined timeinterval, and then on delay contact 396 of relay 394 closes to energizecompression belt motor starter 384 to move the belts 92 and 94 forwardlyfor the length of a case. Belts 92 and 94 move the case at a slowerspeed than pusher 74 would move if it were not impeded by the slowermoving case, but since pusher 74 is operated by air, the stalling ofpusher 74 does not damage its operating mechanism. This stalling insuresthat pressure is being exerted on the ends of the case by pusher 75.

In other words, the speed of pusher 74 is greater than the speed of thecompression belts 92, 94, but pusher 74 slows to compression belt speed.

When the case moves into compression unit 90, switch 82 no longercontacts it and returns to its original position closed to contact 362to energize relay 364 and open contacts 382 to stop the motor drivingthe compression belts. In practice, this drive is equipped with a brakeof sufficient capability to prevent the belts 92, 94 from drifting thecase away from hte extreme forward position of pusher 74. Relay 364 isalso energized through switch 368 and contacts 366, since pusher 74 isin its down position. The circuit has now returned to the machine readycondition with switch 372 and contacts 37 8 closed to energize forwardsolenoid valve 376 to maintain air pressure on pusher 74 to exertpressure on the rear flaps of the case to seal them. Succeeding casesrepeat the cycle.

Jam safety switch 398 is closed in normal operation and time delay relay400 is energized by each case as it passes. If a case does not leaveswitch 398 before contact 402 of relay 400 opens, this indicates that ajam has occurred and gluer motor starter 404 is de-energized to stop thegluer.

Also included in the circuit are: start switch 406, stop switch 408,transfer motor switch 410 and it contacts 411, overload switches 412,selector switch 414, jog switch 416, and the gluer starter controls 418,including gluer start switch 420, gluer stop switch 422, transfer motorauxiliary switch contacts 424 of transfer motor switch 410 that insurethat the transfer unit is operating before the gluer will run, and gluestart switch contacts 426.

The case former of this invention is adapted to form a five-panel casehaving two top panels with a manufacturers fiap connecting the two toppanels, a five-panel case having two top panels connected together bytape, and a four-panel case with a single top panel connected to a sidepanel by a manufacturers flap extending from the top of the side panel.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a presently preferred embodiment. Variouschanges may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. Forexample, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustratedand described herein, parts may be reversed, and certain features of theinvention may be utilized independently of the use of other features,all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asdefined in the subjoined claims.

NVhat is claimed is:

1. A machine for closing a filled case having a front end top flap and arear end top flap extending outwardly from the case, said flaps havingadhesive thereon, comprising means for turning down the front end topflap,

means for turning down the rear end top flap of the case, and pushermeans for moving the case into a compression unit and flattening saidfront flap against a preceding case to hold said front flap incompression to aid in setting the adhesive thereon.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein said pusher means includes means forstallingly pushing the case against a preceding case in the compressionunit to hold the end flaps in compression.

3. The machine of claim 1, including an electric circuit having detectorswitch means which senses the presence of a case and actuates the pushermeans to move it rearwardly.

4. The machine of claim 1, including an electric circuit having switchmeans which sense when the pusher means is behind the case and actuatesthe pusher means to move it forwardly to move the case into stallingcontact with a preceding case in the compression unit.

5. The machine of claim 4, including time delay means which actuates thecompression unit to move the case forwardly with the pusher meansholding it in stalling contact with the preceding case, the speed ofcompression unit movement being less than the normal unimpeded speed ofthe pusher means.

6. The machine of claim 1, including an electric circuit having jamsafety switch means for sensing when a jam of cases has occurred in themachining and shutting down operation.

7. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the case has two toppanels, and .a top sealing flap extends from one top panel inoverlapping relationship with the other top panel, and means areprovided for compressing the top sealing flap against the lapped toppanel to aid in setting an adhesive therebetween.

8. A machine for closing a filled case having a front end top flap and arear end top flap extending outwardly from the case, comprising a pushermember which hangs downwardly from a pivot, said pusher member having acurved bottom portion which is adapted to contact and turn down saidfront flap as the case is being moved forwardly, means for moving thepusher member rearwardly, so that it drops downwardly about its pivotwhen it moves past the rear end of the case to turn down the rear endtop flap, and means for moving te pusher member forwardly against therear end of the case to push the case forwardly.

9. The case closing machine of claim 8 including a case receivingchannel formed by a bottom conveyor belt and a top guide 'rail and apair of side guide rails, said conveyor belt being adapted to move acase forwardly so that the front end top flap contacts the curved bottomportion of the pusher member and is turned down thereby.

10. The case closing machine of claim 8, wherein the means for movingthe pusher member rearwa'rdly and forwardly comprises an air-operatedpiston.

11. The case closing machine of claim 8, wherein the means for movingthe pusher member rearwardly and forwardly comprises an air motor.

12. The case closing machine of claim 8, wherein the pusher memberincludes a pusher plate which contacts and turns down the rear and endtop flap and is adapted to be pushed against the rear end of the case tomove the case forwardly.

13. The case closing machine of claim 8, including a horizontalcompression unit positioned forwardly of said pusher member.

14. The case closing machine of claim 13, wherein the horizontalcompression unit includes a bottom conveyor belt, a top conveyor belt,and means exerting downward pressure on the top conveyor belt.

15. The case closing machine of claim 14, wherein a feed conveyor beltis positioned beneath the pusher member and is adapted to support thecases delivered to the pusher member, means is provided for driving thefeed conveyor belt, and means is provided for driving the compressionunit conveyor belt at a slower speed than the 1 1 feed conveyor belt,whereby pressure between the abutting ends of the cases in thecompression unit keeps the end top flaps in place and assists thesetting of an adhesive on said flaps.

16. The case closing machine of claim 8, wherein the pusher member isadapted to turn down the front and rear end top flaps of a case having apair of top panels with a sealing flap extending from one top panel inlapping relationship with the other, and the pusher member pushes thecase into a horizontal compression unit which includes: top and bottomconveyor belts, means exerting downward pressure on the top conveyorbelt to exert pressure on the top panel sealing flap to assist insetting an adhesive thereon, and means for exerting pressure between theabutting ends of the cases to keep the top end flaps in place and assistin sealing an adhesive thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,716 12/1940 Anderson53--376 2,912,906 11/1959 Bowman 53-387 X 3,332,212 7/1967 Talbot 53,376

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

E. F. DESMOND, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MACHINE FOR CLOSING A FILLED CASE HAVING A FRONT END TOP FLAP AND AREAR END TOP FLAP EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE CASE, SAID FLAPS HAVINGADHESIVE THEREON, COMPRISING MEANS FOR TURNING DOWN THE FRONT END TOPFLAP, MEANS FOR TURNING DOWN THE REAR END TOP FLAP OF THE CASE, ANDPUSHER MEANS FOR MOVING THE CASE INTO A COMPRESSION UNIT AND FLATTENINGSAID FRONT FLAP AGAINST A PRECEDING CASE TO HOLD SAID FRONT FLAP INCOMPRESSION TO AID IN SETTING THE ADHESIVE THEREON.